Railway-traffic-control apparatus.



J. P. COLEMAN.

RAlLWAY TRAFFIC CONTROL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 12. 1915.

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J. P. COLEMAN.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC GONTROL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I2. 1915.

1,230,868. Patented June 26,1917.

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J. P. COLEMAN. RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROL APPARATUS.

APPLICATlON FILED OCT. l2..l9l5- PatentedJnne 26, 1917.

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JOHN P. COLEMAN,.OF EDGEWOOI) BOROUGH PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH &, SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY-TRAFFIC-CONTROL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 12, 1915. 'SerialNo. 55,498.

a citizen of the United States, residing at v Edgewood borough, ,in the county of Allegheny andState of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 7 in Railway-Traffic-Control Apparatusv of.

which the following is a specification- My, invention relates to railway trailic control. apparatusand more; particularly it anism ;A comprises castings 1, 2 and 3 bolt- -ed together bybolts 26 and 27.

relates to apparatus for causing reverse movementsof railway switches and the like,

One object of my invention is to render impossible the. operation of a railwayswitch if the lock rod thereof is removed.

I will describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention and then point out the novel features-thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view showing one form of control apparatus embodying my invention applied to a railway switch. Fig. 2*is a view showing a horizontal section of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 3, 4:, and 5 are views showing vertical sections throughFig. 2 on lines IIIIII, IV-IV, a-nd-VV, respectively looking in the directions of the arrows. Fig. 6 is a plan view of part'of the switch operating rod 4.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, reference character A designates one form of switch operating and locking mechanism," which is described in my co-pending application Serial No. 28,840, filed May 18, 1915 for railway traffic control apparatus. Mechanism A is fixed by suitable bolts 21 and 22 to ties 23 and 2% (see also Fig. 3). The switch operating rod, designated 4, is connected by a bracket 8 and a tie rod 9 to theswitch points 11 of which only one is shown in the drawing. The switch is shown in what I shall term its normal position; it is thrown into the reversed position, i. e.,'a position in which switch point 11, closes against the stock rail 12 bymeans of rod 1, which is operated by mechanism A as I shall describe hereinafter. A look rod'13'is connected to the switch points and constrained to move therewith by means of a bracket 18 and a tie rod 17. Mechanism A is adapted to lock the rod 4 as I shall describe hereinafter, so that called indication circuits of the switch.

Rollers ALL mounted on trunnions the switch is-rigidly held in either of its normal-or reversed-positions. Reference character B designates a caslng containing a circuit controller. for controlling the so- One such circuit controller and one form and arrangement. of indication circuits are shown and described in my vco-pendin'g application above identifiedg VVithreference now to Figs. 1 to 5, mech- Casting 1 Patented June 26, 1917.

comprises.cylinders l and 1 and casting 2 comprises cylindrical guides 2 and 2 which are so designed that, when the castings are bolted together,cylinder-s1 and 1 are colmeal respectively with-guides 2 and 2 Pistons 31? and 31 are ,fitted air tight in cylinders l" and-19 respectively by means of piston rings 32. .A rack 33' issecured: at one end to piston 31 and at the other end to a plunger 345 v adaptedwto reciprocate in guide 2 A similar rack 33 is fixed in like manner topiston 31 and a plunger 34 in guide 2 Th'e toothed surfaces of the racks engage opposite sides of a pinion 36 which is securely mounted on a crankshaft 37. 7 8 screwed into casting 2 form lateral guides forwracks 33 eandx33 'for the purpose of preventing rotation of the racks on the axis of the cylinders and in order to maintain the proper relation of the pitch lines of the racks and the pinion. As thus far described'it is plain that admission of compressed air into cylinder i through a pipe-6L8 will cause rack 33 to move-to the right (as viewed in-Fig. 2) so that pinion 36 .1s turned COllHtGf-ClOCkWlSG and draws rack 33 to the left. If thereupon air is admitted to cylinder 1 through a pipe 48* the reverse movement occurs. The rotation of pinion 36 and crank shaft 37 is utilized to operate the switch in the following manner:

As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, shaft 37 is provided at its lower end witha crank arm 46. A crank pin 44 on the underside of crank arm 46 is adapted to slide in a transverse groove 82 in rod 4 (see also Fig. 6). Rod A is mounted in slide bearings 83 in casting 2, so that the rod is constrained to a reciprocal motion in the direction of its axis. From Fig. 6 it is apparent that circular motion of crank pin 44 in the direction of thearrow from the position marked a to the position marked (Z causes rod 4 to move to the left through the straight line distance between positions a and (Z. By proper proportioning of pinion diameter to length of piston stroke the crank shaft is turned counter-clockwise through the angle from a to d when piston 31 is pushed through its entire stroke in piston 1 by air pressure from pipe 48; conversely, the crank shaft is turned clockwise from cl to a when piston 31 is moved through its entire stroke from left to right by air pressure from pipe 48". The linear distance from (Z- to a (Fig. 6) is equal to the throw of the switch, so that a complete operation of the above described mechanism causes a complete movement of the switch from one position to the other ac cording as the movement of the mechanism is in one direction or the other.

The locking of the switch in one extreme position or the other is accomplished by means of plunger-s 34 and 34 which engage corresponding recesses in the lock rod. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the lock rod comprises a lower rod 13 which is connected to the switch points and an upper rod 13 parallel to the lower rod and attached thereto by means of an adjustable bracket 100. Thus the two rods are constrained to move as a unit in slide hearings in casting 3. When the mechanism is in the position shown in the drawings, a) shoulder 51 on the lower side of plunger 34 enters a notch or recess 93 in the upper side of rod 13, so that longitudinal movement of the lock rod is prevented. In other words, rod 13 and therefore the switch are securely locked in postion. Naturally, when the switch is to be reversed it must first be unlocked by the withdrawal of shoulder 51 of plunger 34 from notch 93. This occurs during the first part of the movement of the mechanism, while rack 33 (Fig. 2) is being drawn to the left by the rotation of pinion 36. During 4 this time crank pin 44 moves from its iniof the arrow.

tial position a in Fig. 6 to the position marked 6. This motion is practically at right angles to the longitudinal axis of rod 4, so that due to a slight amount of clearance, the switch points remain undisturbed. The switch is now unlocked and ready to be reversed. This occurs while the crank pin moves from b to c (Fig. 6) in the'direction During this time operating rod 4 is drawn to the left (Fig. 6) by means 7 of crank pin 44, as explained hereinbefore,

so that the switch points are shifted from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the reversed position.- Lock rod 13, being connected to the switch points, is pushed to the left (Fig.

4), by the movement of the switch points,

until when the switch is fully reversed, e., when the crank pin has arrived at 0 (Fig.

. alinement with plunger 34 in cylinder 2.

By this time plunger 34 has advanced to the right (in Fig. 2) to the end of guide 2. Further advance causes a shoulder 51 on the upper side of the plunger to enter notch 92 of rod 13, thereby locking the switch securely in its new position. During this stroke of plunger 34, pinion 36 turns crank pin 44 from 0 to cl (Fig. 6). This movement is again at right angles to the axis of rod 4 and does not cause any appreciable movement of the switch points. A reverse movement of the mechanism is similar and need therefore not be explained.

The mechanism as thus far described, not only locks the switch points in one or the other position after they have been moved there, but also prevents a completion of the operation of the mechanism if the switch does not fully respond to the movement of the mechanism. To illustrate, suppose that moved only through a portion of the full 7 stroke. 13 would not have been movedifar enough to get into alinement with plunger 34, so that shoulder 51 would have encountered the side of rod 13 and would thus have prevented further movement of the mechanism. This would have been brought to the notice of the switch operator by means of the in dication circuits, as is readily understood by those versed in the art.

By the present invention, I provide a device whereby the full operation of the mech anism is prevented if the lock rod is removedno matter whether or not the switch has fully responded to the movement of the mechanism. To this .end I provide levers 101 and 102 (see Figs. 3 and 4) hinged on the shanks of pivot screws 104 fixed in casting 3 respectively above rod 13 and below rod 13. Springs 103 are riveted to the casting and exert pressure on the levers so that they bear respectively against the upper side of rod 13 and the lower side of At any rate, notch 92 of lock rod.

rod 13, as shown in the full line positions on the drawing. If lock rod 13 were withmember 105 of casting 3. The head 106 of lever 101 would then be in the path of shoulder 51 on plunger 34* so that if a complete operation of the mechanism as described above were attempted, the movement could not be completed because shoulder 51 a of plunger 34" would encounter head 106 of .lever 101 as the plunger would be about to enter casting 3. Similarly, if rod 13 were 13 withdrawn, lever 102 would be swung. by means of spring 103 into the dotted position wherein its head 106 would obstruct plunger 54, so that, it the mechanism were in the reversed position and a switch movement in the opposite'direction were attempted, the operation of the mechanism could not be completed because shoulder 51 of plunger 3& would encounter head 106 as the plunger would be about to enter casting 3. As noted above, the indication system would in a suit able manner notify the switch operator of the incompleteness of the switch movement, so that steps would be taken to prevent train movements over the switch until the lock rod had been restored to'the mechanism.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a switch locking mechanism the combination of a lock rod, a plunger for locking said rod, and means for obstructing said plunger when said lock rod is withdrawn from the mechanism.

2. In a switch locking mechanism the combination of a lock rod, a plunger for locking said rod, and means biased to obstruct said plunger when said lock rod is withdrawn from the mechanism.

3. In a switch locking mechanism the combination of a lock rod, a plunger for looking said rod, and a pivotally mounted member for obstructing said plunger when said lock rod is withdrawn from the mechanism.

4. In combination, a switch operating mechanism, a lock rod adapted to be locked by said mechanism, and means for preventing a complete operation of said mechanism when said lock rod is withdrawn from said mechanism.

5. In combination, a switch operating mechanism, a member movable therewith, a lock rod adapted to be locked by said member, and means for obstructing the movement of said member when said lock rod is withdrawn from said mechanism.

6. In combination, a switch, mechanism for moving said switch, a plunger movable with said mechanism, a rod connected to said switch adapted to obstruct the movement of said plunger, a recess in said rod for receiving said plunger, and means for obstructing the movement of said plunger when said rod is withdrawn.

7. In combination, a switch, mechanism for moving said switch, a plunger movable with said mechanism, a rod connected to said switch adapted to obstruct the movement of said plunger, a recess in said rod for receiving said plunger, and a member biased to obstruct the movement of said plunger when said rod is withdrawn.

8. In combination, a switch, mechanism for moving said switch, a plunger movable with said mechanism, a rod connected to said switch adapted to obstruct the movement of said plunger, a recess in said rod for receiving said plunger, a member, and means for biasing said member against said rod in order to obstruct said plunger when said rod is withdrawn from said mechanism.

9. In combination, a switch, mechanism for moving said switch, a plunger movable with said mechanism, a rod connected to said switch adapted to obstruct the movement of said plunger, a recess in said rod for receiving said plunger, and a pivotally mounted member adapted to bear against said rod in order to obstruct said plunger when said rod is withdrawn from said mechanism.

10. In combination, a pinion, a rack c0- acting with said pinion, a switch, means operated by said pinion for moving said switch, a lock rod connected to said switch, means for locking said rod by said rack, and means for obstructing the movement of said rack when said lock rod is withdrawn.

11. In'combination, a pinion, a rack coacting with said pinion, a switch, means operated by said pinion for moving said switch, a plunger on said rack, a lock rod connected to said switch adapted to obstruct the full movement of said plunger except when said switch has responded to said pinion, and a member for obstructing the full movement of said plunger when said lock rod is withdrawn.

12. In combination, a pinion, two racks meshing with said pinion, a switch, means controlled by the pinion for moving the switch, a lock rod for the switch, means controlled by the movement of said racks for locking said lock rod in normal or reversed position, and means for preventing a full movement of said racks when said lock rod is withdrawn.

18. In combination, a pinion, two racks meshing with said pinion, a switch, means controlled by the pinion for moving said switch, a lock rod for the switch adapted to obstruct the full movement of said racks, recesses in said lock rod for allowing a full movement of said racks, and means for preventing a full movement of said racks when said lock rod is withdrawn.

14. In combination, a pinion, two racks meshing with said pinion, a switch, means controlled by the pinion for moving said switch, plungers controlled by said racks, a lock rod for the switch, recesses in said lock rod for receiving said plungers, and means for obstructing said plungers when said lock rod is withdrawn.

15. In combination, a railway switch, such extent that the movement of the mechamechanism for moving said switch, locking nism could otherwise be completed without apparatus associated with said switch and locking the switch.

said mechanism for locking said switch and In testimony whereof I afiix my signature 5 for preventing coin gleiioilig of a movenfofent of in presence of two Witnesses.

said mec ianism i i t e 00 ing is not e ecte and means controlled by said locking appa- JOHN COLEMAN ratus for preventing completion of the move- Witnesses ment of the mechanism in the event of the A. C. NoLTE, 10 displacement of a part of said apparatus to L. V. LEWIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). 0. 

